Recent content by ndmellen

So, I submitted my second novel "Happy Days" a few weeks ago. My content evaluation noted that I quote "Welcome to the Jungle," and "Don't Worry, Be Happy." They've informed me that I need copyright permission to use the lyrics.... I have no idea where to start.

While it hasn't been put on shelves yet, my novel is available for purchase...I'd love to know any advice that any of you have regarding the marketing of an ebook...Thank you.

Writing with a deadline sucks; I can attest to that...but you get it done. Bite your lip, bear down, and get the words on paper...you can make them better, later...what type of services are you looking for?

Honestly, I truly don't know...like I said, I thought that writing the book would be the hard part. Honestly, I anticipated that it would go like this: send it out, send it out, send it out. Rejection slip, rejection slip, rejection slip. Oh! Someone likes it! What I've learned is exactly how...

Trick- The irony- and I'm willing to admit that maybe this was maybe my ego acting- is that I got contacted by DAW for my manuscript. I figured "hey, if it's looking like I'm going with to be with a big ass company, I want a big ass agent for representation...because I sure as s*** don't know...

Steerpike! Sound advice, and thanks. I'll look into that.

You know, I went back and forth about the idea. My ego- and don't lie to yourself; if you've poured your heart and soul into a book, you have an ego- wants the credit for it. All of it. But if you consider the business side...the foundation you would build, the connections you would make...You...

So, I just got my first agent rejection letter. I choose to be exhilerated rather than down in the dumps; after all, I'm in the game, now. The agent basically told me straight up "you don't have a name"...but told me to look into ghostwriting. (For full disclosure, I went after an agent well...

I don't have a lot of faith in the company that is doing my cover art...they seem to mostly be using stock images...any suggestions for good companies/ artists?

It's your book. You can do what you want... the only thing that has to matter- if you want other people to read it- is that the breaks are obvious and cognizant.

Reviews are important; we all know this. Your best friend Billy from down the street won't do... you need "known" names... I understand that there is a fee for most of them- Kirkus, Corion, SFF- but what's the best option? Have any of you bought your reviews, and if so, was it worth it? What was...

When, no matter how hard you yell, fists clenched by your sides, blades don't spring out of your knuckles...

Devor- They have not. I figured I would just have them print the submitted manuscript without any "services"...I didn't know that going through them would present an issue with traditional publishing houses...Suggestions?

Thank you. On one hand it breaks my heart, but on the other it's the painful truth that I was quickly realizing. If I can ask: are there any grounds to get my money back?

Short and sweet: I signed with iUniverse, and am approximately six weeks into the submission process. After reviewing my manuscript, I was told that my novel is worthy of the Editor's Choice...if...wait for it...I have a little bit of editing done by their team (for only a marginal fee, of...